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Susquehanna County's first Farm Safety Day, held on October 10, 2025, focused on one single important point, "making people aware of the potential dangers or injuries that can happen on a farm and the ability to help those injured" and teaching them ways to both prevent dangers and promote safety, as Harford EMS Captain Sandi Yushinsky said. Mike Powell, Penn State Extension, emphasized that "chainsaw safety is about attention to detail. An accident will change your life. How do you prevent it? You wear your PPE, Personal Protective Equipment." Practical advice and demonstrations were offered at 5 workshop stations throughout the day.

Over120 individuals, ages 10 to 70+, participated in the activities hosted at the Rick and Dana Empet Dairy Farm in Kingsley.

The workshop leaders focused on the many ways that everyone working on a farm can contribute to safely operating a range of equipment, using pesticides, handling livestock and managing and caring for water wells and farm ponds. Students in Blue Ridge High School's FFA (Future Farmers of America) found the event very educational; their advisor Adele Bennett noted the "great hands-on learning" that introduced the students to "different elements that they wouldn't be able to see in the classroom."

For example, the PTO (Power Take Off) Hazards Simulator was a powerful lesson for many; the simulator measures a person's reaction time in relation to the speed of a turning PTO shaft to show how quickly and easily that person's body could become entangled in the PTO. Blue Ridge student and FFA member Trista Laude participated in the PTO simulation; "It was cool," Trista said, and "we learned a lot about safety on the farm." Adam Johnson's 10-year-old son couldn't wait to tell his dad all that he had learned during the day, especially at the chainsaw and PTO safety stations.

Dana Empet, chair of the Susquehanna County Extension Board, learned about Penn State's Farm Safety Day in Bradford County, and she and her family were "excited to partner with Penn State and PA Farm Bureau to bring this great program to our county."

The five workshop stations, Animal Handling, Chainsaw Safety, Tractor PTO Safety, Pesticides Safety, Chain Saw Safety, and Emergency Preparedness/Response, were led by, respectively, Michal Lunak, Penn State Extension Dairy Educator; Michael J. Powell, Penn State Extension Forestry & Wildlife Educator; Jonathan Seaman, Penn State College of Ag Program Manager; Zachary Curtis, Penn State Extension Agronomy Educator; and Sandi Yushinsky, EMS Captain, Harford Volunteer Fire Company, and Terry Yushinsky, Harford EMS.

Jeremy Leaidicker, Penn State Master Watershed Steward Coordinator - Endless Mountains, and Amber Otis, Penn State Extension Food, Families, and Communities Extension Educator, hosted the informational tables.

Susquehanna County's Farm Safety Day was made possible by an educational grant from the PA Farm Bureau, and supported by donations from Russell Farms, Brackney (apples), Susquehanna County Farm Bureau members (cookies), and Susquehanna County Dairy Promotion (milk). Sandi and Terry Yushinsky of Harford EMS volunteered their time to support Farm Safety Day.

On Monday, October 27, 2025 the Susquehanna County Historical Society & Free Library Association Trustees held their Board Meeting at the Forest City Area Emergency Services building. Steve Hinds, Treasurer chaired the meeting, Fred Cicilioni joined via phone and the first meeting that Margot Parsons attended as board member.

After the minutes from the September 22, 2025 were read and approved branch reports were read. Highlights of the report from Susquehanna Depot are as follows; the Story Walk that sustained minor vandalism is all repaired and a new story "Leaves" by David Ezra Stein will be available soon. The library will be rearranging furniture and considering options to make the main seating area more appealing. Baby & Toddler Storytime started on September 23rd and will end October 28th. Laura Nichols spoke about the library at the October meeting of the Monday Club, a local ladies club who are longtime supporters of the Susquehanna Depot Borough branch.

Board member Dawn Augenti reported the Outreach Department moved Blue Ridge drop to Main Street in New Milford. Mary Beth Manns the Outreach Services Librarian and Donna Horn Assistant Outreach Services Librarian service sixteen deposit stations throughout the county. Sign Language Day was recognized and the Lego Club had twenty children who participated.

Exciting news are family passes to the Everhart Museum in Scranton will be available for free. Each branch will have two passes available and their children will be included. All that is required is show your library card to obtain the passes.

Report from the Montrose Branch included they are currently processing books for ages three and a half to eight years old. Four computers were upgraded to the Windows 11 platform. One for staff, one for the front desk and two visitor computers. An Election Day Soup & Bake Sale with Hot Dogs and chili will be held on Election Day, November 4th. Board member Lorraine Chidester reported the United Way Grant application for the summer reading program was submitted. State Aid forms were submitted on August 27, 2025 and the Susquehanna County Visitors Bureau Grant application was submitted. Last year $6,000. was received from the Room Tax Funds and used for more exposure for the Blueberry Festival which brings in many people from many areas.

Board member Craig Benson reported a dress exhibit was held on October 3rd and 4th at the Susquehanna County Historical Society Museum in Montrose on the Susquehanna County Heritage Trail and received one hundred and eleven visitors. The trail consisted of sixteen locations and was a great success. Christmas in Montrose is the next event to be held.

Forest City Librarian Katherine Cruz reported she used the $500. anonymous donation for books from Pre-K and 9thgrade. The Authors Luncheon which is the seventeenth year received approximately $1,500. in donation exact total has not been confirmed. Dr. Larry Cook spoke on his book Symbols of Patriotism: First Ladies and Daughters of the American Revolution to approximately 63 people. For November Mrs. Cruz is working on another Book and Songwriters Clubs. She stated they need $600. to complete the mural. They raised $400. and need $200. more. Mrs. Cruz stated they are preparing for the 2nd annual Love Your Library Auction to be held in March 2026. The previous auction raised over $4,000. and helped with programming for each branch.  They are looking for donations or contributions and will be accepting those items beginning November 10th.  Previous donated items consisted of high-quality products including quilts, gift cards and get-aways.

Dr. Lou Cella, Interim Director stated there are 38,000 residents utilizing the libraries in Susquehanna County. He reported all staff has full autonomy in picking books and weeding them for public use. Branch Manager Lauren Canfield of the Hallstead Branch left her position and Leslie Lowry will be the new Branch Manager. They chose to fill the vacancy from within.

Treasurer Steve Hinds provided the Financial Report and highlights of the report was the Profit and Loss Statement. Income was $41,221.83 increase over 2024; decrease in expenses year over year was $110,092.28; net income of $163,064.02 compared to net income of 2024 of $11,016.58. These figures include over $90,000.00 spent of book buys in FY2025.

The next meeting will be held in the Montrose Community Room on November 24, 2025. Meeting of the membership will be at 5:00pm followed by the Board meeting at 6:00pm.

All are welcome to attend.